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CONTENTS
1) Simple Subject and Verb Constructions
2) Understood Subjects (for Commands)
3) Questions
4) Compound Verbs
5) Compound Subjects and Compound Verbs
6) Three or More Subjects
7) Adjectives
8) Compound Adjectives
9) Adverbs
10) Adverbs Modifying Adjectives and Other Adverbs
11) Compound Adverbs
12) Prepositional Phrases
13) Prepositional Phrases Modifying Other Prepositional Phrases
14) Prepositions with Compound Objects
15) Direct Objects
16) Compound Direct Objects
17) Three or More Direct Objects
18) Compound Verbs with Direct Objects
19) Compound Verbs with One Direct Object
20) Indirect Objects
21) Compound Indirect Objects
22) Predicate Nouns and Predicate Adjectives
23) Objective Complements
24) Nouns of Direct Address
25) Interjections
26) Expletive Constructions (There is/are)
27) Compound Sentences
28) Reflexive Pronouns
29) “Intensive” Reflexive Pronouns
30) Passive Verbs
31) Noun Clauses
31 a) Noun Clauses Acting as Sentence Subjects
31 b) Noun Clauses as Objects of Prepositions
31 c) Noun Clauses as Predicate Nouns
31 d) Noun Clauses as Direct Objects
32) Adjective Clauses
32 a) Adjective Clauses and Relative Pronouns
32 b) Adjective Clauses Introduced by "Who"
32 c) Adjective Clauses Introduced by "That"
32 d) Adjective Clauses Modifying Objects of Prepositions
32 e) Adjective Clauses Modifying Sentence Subjects
32 f) Adjective Clauses Introduced by Relative Adverbs
33) Appositives
34) Gerunds and Gerund Phrases
34 a) Gerund Phrases as Subjects
34 b) Gerund Phrases as Direct Objects
34 c) Gerund Phrases as Objects of Prepositions
35) Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases
35 a) Infinitive Phrases as Subjects and as Predicate Nouns
35 b) Infinitive Phrases as Direct Objects
35 c) Infinitive Phrases as Objects of Prepositions
35 d) Infinitive Phrases as Objective Complements
35 e) Infinitive Phrases as Appositives
36) Causative Verbs
37) Correlative Conjunctions
38) Adverb Clauses
39) Comparative Adjectives
40) Participles
41) Participial Phrases
42) Compound-complex Sentences
Sample Diagrams
1) Simple Subject and Verb Constructions
All sentences consist of at least one subject and one verb. The two-word sentence below
is an example of a “simple” sentence. The diagram shows the subject “Samson” on the left side
and the verb “slept” on the right. Notice that the vertical line that separates the subject and the
verb always pierces the base line.
Samson slept.
2) Understood Subjects (for Commands)
Sentences in the “command” form (also known as the imperative “mood”) appear to have
no subject. In fact, there is a subject, but it is hidden. In the example sentence below, the hidden
subject is “you,” and we say that it is “understood.”
Sit!
3) Questions
Questions often use special “question words,” such as where, what, when, why and how.
Some of these words function like adverbs, some like adjectives, and others like nouns.
Most other questions use “helping” verbs, also called “auxiliary” verbs.
Where are you going?
What were you reading this morning?
Whose bike were you using?
May I postpone this assignment?
4) Compound Verbs
Sentences often have more than one verb. Such verbs are called “compound” verbs. In
the example sentence below, both “howled” and “scratched” are verbs.
The cat howled and scratched ferociously.
5) Compound Subjects and Compound Verbs
Sentences can have both compound subjects and compounds verbs. In the example
sentence below, “Juanita and Celso” is a compound subject, and “worked and rested” is a
compound verb.
Juanita and Celso worked hard and then rested.
6) Three or More Subjects
Sentences can, of course, have multiple subjects. The example below shows how such
sentences are diagrammed.
Juanita, Federica, and Celso are working.
7) Adjectives
Adjectives are words that modify nouns. They usually answer the questions: “What kind
of?” and “How many?” or “How much?” In the sentence below, “athletic” explains what kind of
“moves,” and “the” (a special kind of adjective, also known as an “article”) describes the crowd.
When diagramming adjectives, make sure to write them on slanted lines that fall beneath the
nouns they modify.
Athletic moves excite the crowd.
8) Compound Adjectives
Sentences can also have compound adjectives. The example below shows how such
sentences are diagrammed.
The little old lady hit the tall and distinguished gentleman.
9) Adverbs
Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They usually
explain how, where, when, why, or how often. In the example sentence below, the adverb
“quickly” explains how dogsbreath “works,” so it modifies the verb. Just as in the case of
adjectives, adverbs are also written on slanted lines underneath the words they modify.
Dogsbreath works quickly.
10) Adverbs Modifying Adjectives and Other Adverbs
The example sentence below shows the adverb “very” modifying the adjective “friendly.”
It answers the question, “How friendly? The sentence also shows the adverb “quite” modifying
the adverb “often.” It explains how often.
A very friendly dog wags its tail quite often.
11) Compound Adverbs
Just as with other parts of speech, adverbs can also be compound. Compound adverbs
are diagrammed as shown below. Note the dotted lines that connect the compound adverbs.
Dr. Turveydrop waited patiently and quietly at the door.
12) Prepositional Phrases
Prepositional phrases are groups of words that consist of a preposition followed by at
least one object noun or pronoun. Prepositional phrases may also contain other words (such as
adjectives and articles) that modify the attached noun(s) or pronoun(s). All true prepositions are
followed by nouns. You should take time to memorize the most common prepositions. A few
examples are: in, of, for, from, through, among, over, to, since, under, and on.
Prepositions can be both adverbial (i.e., modifying verbs) and adjectival (i.e., modifying
nouns). In the example below, the prepositional phrase “in the garden” tells us where Charles is
working, so it modifies the verb. Write the preposition on the slanted line that falls beneath the
word being modified and write the object noun on the horizontal line that is attached to it.
Charles is working in the garden.
13) Prepositional Phrases Modifying Other
Prepositional Phrases
As stated above, prepositional phrases can also be adjectival (i.e., modifying nouns). In
the example below, the prepositional phrase “by the river” describes the “garden,” so it placed
under the word “garden.”
Charles is working in the garden by the river.
14) Prepositions with Compound Objects
Prepositions can also have compound or multiple objects. In the prepositional phrase “of
getting up and working,” “getting up” and “working” are objects of the preposition “of.” The
prepositional phrase is adjectival. It explains what kind of “thought.”
The thought of getting up and working is alarming.
15) Direct Objects
Direct objects are nouns that “receive” the action of verbs. They answer questions such
as the following: “What” did someone eat or drink or send or read or bake etc. (Notice that all
of these verbs can receive action. They are called “transitive” verbs. Verbs that cannot receive
action are called “intransitive” verbs. This idea is easy to understand. You can eat something or
drink something or send something, but you cannot walk something or happen something or
sleep something.
The following example shows how sentences with direct objects are diagrammed. Notice
that a vertical line comes after the verb but does not pierce the base line. The direct object
follows this vertical line.
Tashonda sent e-mail.
16) Compound Direct Objects
Verbs can also take compound direct objects. The example below shows how such
sentences are diagrammed.
Tashonda sent cards and letters.
17) Three or More Direct Objects
Multiple direct objects are diagrammed as seen below.
Tashonda sent e-mail, cards, and letters.
18) Compound Verbs with Direct Objects
Sometimes it is possible for a sentence to contain both compound verbs and compound
objects. Such sentences are diagrammed as seen below.
Joselyn cooked breakfast and ate it.
19) Compound Verbs with One Direct Object
If more than one verb shares the same direct object, the diagram is written as seen below.
Samantha proofreads and edits her essays.
20) Indirect Objects
Indirect objects are not commonly found in languages other than English. They explain
to whom or for whom, but they are missing the prepositions “to” and “for.” They come
immediately after the verb in the position that is usually held by direct objects. Sentences with
indirect objects can usually be rewritten to include the missing preposition simply by putting the
direct object in its usual position. For example, in the sentence, “Mrs. Doubtfire gave the
children homework,” we can also say, “Mrs. Doubtfire gave homework to the children.”
Indirect objects are diagrammed in the same way that prepositional phrases are.
Mrs. Doubtfire gave the children homework.
21) Compound Indirect Objects
Sentences can also contain compound or multiple indirect objects. Such sentences are
diagrammed as seen below.
Mrs. Doubtfire gave Tabitha and Samantha quizzes.
22) Predicate Nouns and Predicate Adjectives
Predicate adjectives and predicate nouns (also known as predicate nominatives) are nouns
or adjectives that follow the “be-verb” or other linking verbs, such as “feel” and “seem.” Notice
that the noun or adjective that follows the verb is written after a slanted line. Be careful not to
confuse this with the vertical line that indicates a direct object.
John Calhoun is a coach.
Another Example:
Jennifer Jones is beautiful.
Jennifer Jones
is
23) Objective Complements
beautiful
Objective complements are nouns or adjectives that “complement” an object noun. They
often sound like adverbs, but they are a little different. In the sentence below, the “jalopy” is the
thing/object that Johnny painted, so it is a direct object of the verb “painted.” “Purple” is not
how he painted it but what he painted it, so it complements the object “jalopy.” It is, therefore,
called an objective complement.
An objective complement is written after a slanted line that follows the direct object.
Johnny painted his old jalopy purple.
The club elected Tashonda president.
The club elected Tashonda as its president.
(with "as" as expletive)
24) Nouns of Direct Address
Nouns of direct address are nouns (often names) that are used in speech in order to get
someone’s attention. Since they are not true subjects, they “float” above the subject noun in a
diagram. Notice that the true subject in the example sentence below is “you,” which is
understood but not stated.
Heitor, address the class now.
25) Interjections
Interjections are words that express emotion or reaction. They can stand alone to form
one-word sentences, or they can be inserted in regular sentences where they are set off by
commas. They are diagrammed in the same way as nouns of direct address.
Man, that hurt!
26) Expletive Constructions (There is/are)
As in the sentence seen below, English often makes use of expletive constructions. In
these constructions, the word “there” has no actual meaning. The expression refers to the
existence (or nonexistence) of something. It has nothing to do with the idea of place.
Since the word there has no real meaning in such sentences, it is often written in a
diagram as if it were “floating” above the subject. (Another diagramming alternative is to write
the word as an adverb modifying the “be-verb.”)
There are never enough hot dogs at the annual picnic.
Another Example:
There is no one working with Albert.
27) Compound Sentences
Compound sentences are really just two sentences (independent clauses) joined by a
conjunction. In order to diagram such sentences, create two diagrams and connect them as
demonstrated below. (Note the use of two dotted lines to connect the conjunction, written on a
solid horizontal line, with the verbs of each independent clause.)
Boggs hit the ball well, but he ran to the wrong base.
Another Example:
Forecasting technologies are more sophisticated, and today's forecasters are better trained, but
weather predictions are still not very reliable.
28) Reflexive Pronouns
The following diagrams show examples of reflexive pronouns used direct objects,
indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.
[as direct object] José cut himself.
[as indirect object] Mr. Edwards gave himself a raise.
[as object of a preposition] She cared only for herself.
29) “Intensive” Reflexive Pronouns
Sometimes reflexive pronouns are used to show intensity or emphasis. The reflexive
pronoun can be removed without changing the essential meaning of the sentence. The “myself”
in the example sentence below is an “appositive.” Appositives restate nouns and are placed in
parentheses next to the nouns they restate in diagrams. (Appositives are explained in more detail
in another section below.)
I myself prefer basketball. [or]
I prefer basketball myself.
30) Passive Verbs
Passive “voice” is created by taking the direct object of an “active” voice sentence and
making it the subject. Passive voice is used most frequently when we want to emphasize the
importance of an object. For instance, we say, “I was born in 1985.” We rarely want to say,
“My mother bore me in 1985.” We already know that the mother bore the speaker, and we don’t
care to hear about the mother. “I” should be the subject. The passive voice in English is formed
by connecting the appropriate tense of the “be-verb” to the past participle of the main verb.
In general, the passive voice in English can only be formed by changing direct objects
into subjects. So-called “indirect” passives in English are very rare. Japanese and some other
languages, on the other hand, can make use of an indirect passive in order to express the idea that
something bad has happened to someone. A literal translation of an example would be, “I was
stolen my bicycle.” This construction in English is incorrect. The “bicycle” is the object that
was stolen; not the person speaking. Therefore, the sentence correctly stated in English would
simply be, “My bicycle was stolen.”
There is no real trick to diagramming passive verbs. Just as in the case of verbs in other
voices, the entire verb (both the “be-verb” and the past participle) is placed on the right side of
the line that separates the subject and verb.
The burglar was shot.
Another Example:
Mary was awarded the Smith Case.
Another Example:
Turveydrop was named chairman while he was out of the room.
31) Noun Clauses
Noun clauses are clauses that act like nouns. As such, they can act as subjects and
predicate nouns as well as direct and indirect objects of verbs and objects of prepositions.
31 a) Noun Clauses Acting as Sentence Subjects
Noun clauses are clauses that act like nouns. In the example sentence below, “What
Ramon knew about cooking” is a subject. Inside the noun clause itself, “Ramon” is the subject,
“knew” is the verb, and “What” is a direct object. The entire noun clause taken together forms
the subject of the sentence. It is the thing/subject that could fill a whole library.
What Ramon knew about cooking could fill a whole library.
31 b) Noun Clauses as Objects of Prepositions
Since noun clauses act like nouns, they can fill all the positions that nouns do. They can
be used as both subjects and objects. In the example sentence below, the noun clause “where
they would live” is used as the object of the preposition “about.”
The couple had a huge argument about where they would live.
31 c) Noun Clauses as Predicate Nouns
The example sentence below shows one noun clause being used as a subject and another
being used as a predicate noun.
What really matters is what you know.
Another example:
Our biggest worry is that students won't read the signs.
31 d) Noun Clauses as Direct Objects
Noun clauses can also be used as direct objects. In the example sentence below,
“whatever Sarah submitted” is a direct object of the verb “rejected.” It is the thing/object that
The New Yorker rejected.
The New Yorker quickly rejected whatever Sarah submitted.
Another example:
We can only hope [that] it is not too late.
32) Adjective Clauses
Adjective clauses (also known as “relative” clauses) are clauses that act as adjectives. In
other words, they modify nouns. Special words called “relative pronouns” (or in some cases
“relative adverbs”) are used to connect adjective clauses to the words they modify.
32 a) Adjective Clauses and Relative Pronouns
In the example sentence below, “which narrowly passed the House” is an adjective
clause. The clause tells us what kind of “bill.” The relative pronoun “which” functions as a
direct object inside the adjective clause. Ask yourself the question, “What did the House
narrowly pass?” The only word inside the adjective clause that can answer that question is the
word “which,” so “which” is a direct object. (Other relative pronouns include who, whom,
whose, and that.)
When diagramming, a dotted line is drawn from the relative pronoun to the noun it
modifies.
The bill, which the House narrowly passed, was defeated by the senate.
Another Example:
In the example sentence below, “whom the grand jury indicted in December” is an
adjective clause that explains what kind of “man.” Inside the adjective clause itself, the word
“whom” acts as a direct object. Ask yourself the question, “Who did the grand jury indict?” The
answer is “whom,” so “whom” is the direct object of the verb “indicted.”
A man whom the grand jury indicted in December was arrested in Baltimore.
Another Example:
In the example sentence below, “who I know will treat me right” is a noun clause. Noun
clauses are explained in detail in another section of this book. “Who I know will treat me right”
is the thing/object that I know. The clause is, therefore, a direct of the verb “know.” The relative
pronoun “who” refers to the kind of “man” that I want to meet, so a dotted line connecting the
two words is drawn in the diagram.
I want to meet a man who I know will treat me right.
32 b) Adjective Clauses Introduced by "Who"
In the two following example sentences, the relative pronoun “who” functions as the
subject of each of the adjective clauses.
That woman who just left the room will probably be the next president.
Another Example:
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
32 c) Adjective Clauses Introduced by "That"
In the following example sentence, the relative pronoun “that” functions as a direct
object.
Charlene gave Dilbert all the trouble that he could handle.
32 d) Adjective Clauses Modifying Objects of Prepositions
In the following example sentence, the relative pronoun “who” functions as the subject of
the adjective clause. The adjective clause modifies the prepositional object “nurse.”
Dogsbreath gave a million bucks to the nurse who saved his life.
32 e) Adjective Clauses Modifying Sentence Subjects
In the following example sentence, the relative pronoun “that” functions as the direct
object of the adjective clause. The adjective clause modifies the subject “car.”
The car that Georgina bought was more expensive than mine.
32 f) Adjective Clauses Introduced by Relative Adverbs
Sometimes adjective clauses are introduced by relative adverbs instead of relative
pronouns. Relative adverbs connect adjective clauses to the nouns they modify just like relative
pronouns do. The only difference is that they function as adverbs inside adjective clauses.
In the example sentence below “where Lincoln was shot” is an adjective clause because it
describes the “theater.” “Where” is a relative adverb which connects the adjective clause to the
word “theater.”
We slowly entered the theater where Lincoln was shot.
OPTIONAL METHOD:
We slowly entered the theater where Lincoln was shot.
33) Appositives
Appositives are nouns or noun phrases that are used to identify or rename other nouns,
noun phrases, or pronouns. Look at the example sentence and diagram below. Since the
appositive “coach” simply restates who “John Calhoun” is, it is placed in parentheses
immediately following the name.
John Calhoun, the coach, yelled at the referees.
34) Gerunds and Gerund Phrases
Gerunds are nominative forms of verbs. In other words, they are verbal nouns. When
verbs are converted to nominative forms, they can be used just like other nouns.
34 a) Gerund Phrases as Subjects
Sometimes gerunds and gerund phrases are used as subjects; other times as objects.
Consider the sentence below. “Working hard” is a gerund phrase. “Working” is a gerund, and
“hard” is an adverb that modifies “working.” Together they form the subject of the sentence.
In the accompanying diagram, the gerund phrase is placed on a “stand” that rests on top
of the base line. The dictionary form of the gerund is written on the slanted line, and the “ing”
portion is written on the connecting horizontal line.
Working hard can be profitable.
34 b) Gerund Phrases as Direct Objects
As we can see below, gerunds and gerund phrases can also be used as direct objects.
“Eating” is a gerund and “broccoli” is its direct object. Together, the two words form a gerund
phrase that is used as the direct object of the verb “hates.” In other words, “eating broccoli” is
the thing/object that Terminita hates.
Terminita hates eating broccoli.
34 c) Gerund Phrases as Objects of Prepositions
True prepositions are always followed by object nouns (or object noun forms, such as
gerunds or gerund phrases). Non-native speakers of English often have trouble distinguishing
between gerunds and infinitives (i.e., noun forms of verbs that consist of “to” plus the dictionary
form of a verb—e.g., to eat, to drink, to sleep, etc.) when choosing verbal nouns. Here is a rule
that will help you: Always use a gerund after a preposition.
Gerund phrases used as objects of prepositions are diagrammed as indicated below.
Wolfson wrote a book about playing basketball.
35) Infinitives and Infinitive Phrases
Infinitives, like gerunds, are nominative forms of verbs. They are created by adding the
dictionary form of a verb to “to”—e.g., to eat, to drink, to sleep, etc. Take note that the “to” of
an infinitive is not a preposition. It is simply part of the infinitive itself. Consider the sentence
“I am looking forward to meeting your parents.” The “to” in this sentence is a preposition.
Therefore, as noted in previous section, it must be followed by the gerund “meeting.” (You must
not say “I am looking forward to meet your parents.)
35 a) Infinitive Phrases as Subjects and as Predicate Nouns
Just as in the case of gerunds, infinitives can be used in the same ways that other nouns
are used. The sentence below shows one infinitive phrase used as a subject and another
infinitive phrase used as a predicate noun. Notice that the diagramming method looks almost
identical to the one used for diagramming gerunds. The infinitive is placed on a “stand.” The
“to” portion of the infinitive is written on the slanted line, and the remaining portion is written on
the connecting horizontal line.
To know him is to love him.
35 b) Infinitive Phrases as Direct Objects
Infinitive phrases used after main verbs can be diagrammed in two ways. They method
seen below treats the infinitive phrase “to climb the national rankings” as a direct object.
The Eagles slowly began to climb the national rankings.
Another option is to treat the phrase as a complement of the verb. This method of
diagramming is shown below.
Eagles
began
to
The
slowly
climb
rankings
the
national
35 c) Infinitive Phrases as Objects of Prepositions
Very rarely, infinitive phrases can be used as objects of prepositions. Consider the
sentence below.
Pedrito had no choice except to run away.
"Except" and "save" are the most common prepositions used in this construction.
35 d) Infinitive Phrases as Objective Complements
Infinitive phrases can also be used as objective complements. In the following sentence,
“me to do the dishes” is the thing/object that Mom wanted. “To do the dishes” is a complement
of the direct object “me.” This construction is often difficult for non-native speakers to master
because it is difficult for them to see why “me” is a direct object. Nevertheless, the construction
is basic to everyday conversation and must be mastered.
Mom wanted me to do the dishes.
35 e) Infinitive Phrases as Appositives
Infinitive phrases can also be used as appositives. As noted earlier, appositives restate
nouns. In the sentence below, “it” is the same as, or equals, “to elect William president.” While
this construction is very common in English, other expressions can also be used to express the
same thought. For example, we could remove the “it” and say “To elect William president was a
mistake.” Or we can use a gerund phrase and say “Electing William president was a mistake.”
While it is popular, the “it” in the appositive construction has no actual meaning.
The infinitive phrase used as an appositive is diagrammed as seen below.
It was a mistake to elect William president.
36) Causative Verbs
Causative verbs show action being created. The most common causative verbs in English
are “make,” “let,” “have,” and “help.” The most common causative construction is A makes B
do C. In this pattern, A is the subject, B is an indirect object, and C is a direct object. The
structures that express this meaning vary greatly from one language to another. This particular
pattern is often difficult for non-native speakers of English to master, but it is an essential
construction in everyday conversation.
The example below illustrates how such sentences are diagrammed. Notice that the verb
phrase “read four novels” has no subject. It consists only of the verb “read” and the objective
noun phrase “four novels.” Make sure that you the vertical line that separates the verb and the
direct object does not pierce the base line.
Professor Villa made her students read four novels.
37) Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are “paired conjunctions.” They appear most often in the
following patterns: both A and B; not only A but also B; either A or B; and neither A nor B.
When these conjunctions join clauses, they are diagrammed so as to link the verbs of both
clauses, as seen below.
Either we wash the walls or we paint them.
38) Adverb Clauses
Adverb clauses are clauses that functions as adverbs. Adverb clauses modify the verbs of
main clauses. In the example sentence below, notice that the subordinate conjunction “when”
connects the verbs of the adverb clause and the main clause.
We will go to the restaurant when this movie is finished.
Memorize the following list of subordinate conjunctions that are used to introduce adverb
clauses.
TIME
after
before
when
while
as
as soon as
since
until
by the time (that)
once
as/so long as
whenever
every time (that)
the first time (that)
the last time (that)
the next time (that)
CAUSE AND EFFECT
because
now that
since
CONTRAST
even though
although
though
DIRECT CONTRAST
while
whereas
CONDITION
if
unless
only if
whether or not
even if
in case
just in case
in the event (that)
39) Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives often appear in sentences that are followed by clauses with
understood verbs. In the sentence below the first clause is “Joanna is considerably taller.” The
second clause is “Her brother (is).” The “is” of the second clause is usually not stated but
understood. “Than” is a conjunction that joins both clauses.
The use of “than” as a conjunction is counterintuitive to speakers of languages in which
the closest equivalent functions as an adverb or some other part of speech.
Joanna is considerably taller than her brother [is].
In informal English, many native speakers use “than” as if it were a preposition, in which
case they immediately follow it with an object noun or pronoun. Consider the following
example:
I am smarter than him.
While such sentences are common in spoken English, strictly speaking, they are not correct.
Correctly stated, the above sentence should be, “I am smarter than he” because the verb “is” is
understood. (Keep in mind that we can say “He is,” but we cannot say “Him is.”) If, however,
we attempt to diagram the informal version, we can treat “than” as a preposition as follows:
I
am
smarter
than
him
40) Participles
Present participles are the “ing” forms of verbs used as adjectives. They can often be
restated in the form of adjective clauses. In the sentence below, “the crumbling bridge” could be
restated as “the bridge which is crumbling.” Look at the diagram below. Since “crumbling”
modifies “bridge,” it is written underneath it. The dictionary form of the word is written on the
slanted line, and the “ing” portion is written on the connecting horizontal line.
The crumbling bridge must be repaired.
41) Participial Phrases
Participial phrases are simply groups of words that contain a participle. The sentence
below contains both a participle and a participial phrase. The participle “screaming” describes
the “crowd.” The participial phrase “falling into the river” describes the “bridge.” (While the
participial phrase “falling into the river” can be rewritten as an adjective clause, i.e., “the bridge
that was falling into the river,” this participial phrase includes the meaning of “as it was falling
into the river.”) “Into the river” is a prepositional phrase that modifies the participle “falling.”
The screaming crowd watched the bridge falling into the river.
42) Compound-complex Sentences
This final example sentence illustrates how to diagram a compound-complex sentence. A
compound-complex sentence is one that has two or more independent clauses and one or more
dependent (or subordinate) clauses. In the example sentence below, “the windows rattle noisily”
and “the whole house shakes” are independent clauses. “When the train goes through” is an
adverb clause. It is not necessary to try to connect the adverb clause to both independent clauses
even though we realize that it modifies both of them. Just connect it to the first independent
clause.
When the train goes through, the windows rattle noisily and the whole house shakes.